NGAWANG JAMPHEL
Thimphu
Sergithang Gewog under Tsirang Dzongkhag has become the leading producer of early big chillies in Bhutan.
Since the introduction of chilli farming in 2018, farmers in the gewog have steadily increased production, earning extra income after the paddy harvest.
The project started as a small experiment with a few farmers who were willing to try growing chillies during winter. With support from the Dzongkhag Administration, they started farming on five acres of land.
Chili farmers used poly tunnels and plastic mulch to protect the plants and improve growth. As more farmers saw their success, many others joined, turning Sergithang into a major chilli-growing area.
Farmers begin chilli cultivation immediately after harvesting their paddy. The seeds are sown in raised nursery beds, which are kept inside poly tunnels to protect them from the cold. The beds are placed in sunny areas near homes to keep the soil warm and help beneficial microbes grow.
Initially it started growing with a few potential farmers with the idea to create the doors of opportunities after paddy harvest. The households were basically selected based on their progressiveness with the hope to showcase as a trial for the promotion. The farmers were fed technically with the recommendations and liaised with Dzongkhag for the possible supports.
Nursery started right after paddy harvest using poly tunnels. It is used to preserve heat and moisture in extreme cold that the area experiences. The raised bed of 15cm nearby courtyard at sunny places is mostly prioritized to ease management and encourage microbial activities. The seeds purchased from National Soil Centre. It is usually shown in lines for easy weeding besides maintaining health of the seedlings. However, the nursery seeds are sometimes treated with hot water, soaking to eliminate fungal and bacterial infection. The beds are applied and mixed thoroughly with chicken manure.
Once the seedlings are ready, they are transplanted into the fields, which are ploughed at least three times to loosen the soil and reduce pests like cutworms. Some farmers also use a method called solarization, where they cover the soil with plastic mulch for a month to kill harmful germs.
Farmers in Sergithang do not use chemical fertilizers. Instead, they rely on organic options like chicken manure and cow urine. These natural fertilizers help keep the soil healthy and improve plant growth.
Some farmers use drip irrigation to provide water directly to the plants, while others use controlled flooding. However, cold canal water in winter can slow down plant growth. To solve this problem, many farmers use stored water or water their plants in the evening when temperatures are slightly higher.
To make field preparation easier, the government has provided a bed-making machine that is used only for chilli farming. Farmers can rent the machine for Nu 700 per hour. Since labor is often hard to find, this machine has helped many farmers expand their chilli farms without struggling to prepare beds manually.
Although chilli farming has been successful in Sergithang, farmers still face several problems. One major issue is that the chillies grown are not always uniform in shape and color, which affects their market value.
Pests like aphids and fruit borers, as well as diseases such as Phytophthora capsici and chilli wilt, also cause damage to crops. Farmers use natural remedies like baking soda sprays and soap solutions to control these problems, but better solutions are still needed.
Chillies are usually planted from late October to mid-November. Each farmer grows chillies on plots ranging from 20 decimals to two acres. In total, the farmers in Sergithang cultivate around 60 to 70 acres of chillies every season.
With continued support from the Ministry of Agriculture, farmers hope to improve their farming techniques, increase production, and find better ways to control pests and diseases.
As Sergithang continues to lead in early chilli production, its farmers are proving that winter farming can be a profitable and sustainable way to earn a living in Bhutan.
